PHOTOS: Toyotas, fatalities and sudden acceleration

CaptionToyota deaths

Detroit Free Press

Off-duty California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Saylor, center, was driving through rush-hour traffic in suburban San Diego when his Lexus took off like a runaway rocket. With him were his wife, Cleofe Lastrella, left, their 13-year-old daughter, Mahala, right, and Cleofe's brother, Chris...

Off-duty California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Saylor, center, was driving through rush-hour traffic in suburban San Diego when his Lexus took off like a runaway rocket. With him were his wife, Cleofe Lastrella, left, their 13-year-old daughter, Mahala, right, and Cleofe's brother, Chris... (Detroit Free Press)

Tucson's Sage Janesch, 18, was returning home after visiting his pregnant girlfriend when his 2005 Prius jumped a curb on a winding freeway onramp and struck a support beam beneath Interstate 10. The impact tore off the car's roof and killed Janesch instantly, the teen's father said.

Tucson's Sage Janesch, 18, was returning home after visiting his pregnant girlfriend when his 2005 Prius jumped a curb on a winding freeway onramp and struck a support beam beneath Interstate 10. The impact tore off the car's roof and killed Janesch instantly, the teen's father said. (Janesch family)